From Fitness Hero To Asteroids The Movie: News Roundup July 2nd

Thursday's news tells us of more games adopting the 'Hero' name in their title, new Zelda perhaps not being what we expected, Gears Of War 2 receiving a new update and ancient arcader Asteroids hitting the big screen

Everyone Wants To Be A Hero

VPT Technologies has trademarked both the names Fitness Hero and Workout Hero, drawing attention due to the names obvious resemblance to the Guitar Hero series. VPT Technologies specialize in voice-activated fitness equipment, but have recently announced their decision to develop a “web-based video game system” connecting users in a safe global network, with fitness most likely the primary aspect of the game.

They haven’t confirmed Fitness Hero or Workout Hero as this game yet but given the circumstances it’s pretty likely this is the case. Slapping ‘Hero’ on the end of their titles seems like a shameless attempt to sell more copies but judgment should be reserved until the game is actually played. Speculation looks at where the ‘Hero’ name is headed next; Zelda Hero? Or how about Halo Hero? Maybe even leave out the game title altogether calling it Hero Hero? Time will tell... [1UP]

Greased Nintendo

Paramount Digital Entertainment has planned to release a DS and Wii adaptation of 1978 movie ‘Grease’. As Grease is unlikely to make a great First Person Shooter, Paramount have decided to opt for a party game aimed at the causal and family gaming market. Working with 505 Games they plan to take full advantage of both consoles capabilities allowing you to sing and dance with Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson. [Gamestop]

Gears Of War Update

To celebrate release of the Gears Of War2 Title Update 4, Epic Games will be promoting a double experience points weekend starting this Friday. Title Update 4 has introduced experience points in multiplayer mode and playing this weekend will give you the chance to receive 500 extra experience points for being on the winning side in an online ranked match.

To make this party even more exciting horde matches now feature extra waves of Tickers to join in on the fun. Yay? [WorthPlaying]

New Zelda Not Radically Different

Shigeru Miyamoto briefly mentioned the new Zelda game at this year’s E3, as well as causally dropping hints throughout the year at how he would like to create completely unique Mario and Zelda games taking advantage of the Wii’s technology.

After getting Zelda fans frothing at the mouth with excitement, he then slammed them back down to Earth stating in Nintendo Power "I don't think it's going to be that radically different”… Damn. [1UP]

Asteroids: The Movie

Universal must have made their New-Year's resolution to pick the hardest things in the world to make a movie out of. At the moment they have Oscar-nominated director Ridley Scott working on a movie adaption of the board game Monopoly, and have recently acquired the rights to base a film on Atari game Asteroids.

Asteroids may be a popular game, but this isn’t because of a dramatic plot or great cast; it doesn’t even have one you see. All Universal have to go on is a set of dots firing dots at other dots…. Here’s hoping! [HollywoodReporter]